Soils and Techniques for Cultivating Tuber melanosporum and Tuber aestivum in Europe

Abstract

Analysis of environmental conditions in productive natural European truffières has permitted physico-chemical characterization of truffle soils and management techniques favourable to truffle production (Tuber melanosporum and Tuber aestivum). European Tuber melanosporum soils have a balanced texture with equal proportions of clay, silt and sand, 1–70 % limestone, exchangeable calcium levels between 0.6 % and 1.6 %, pH of 7.8–8.3, 3–6 ;% organic matter, C to N ratios of 8–12, N levels of 0.01–0.03 %, total phosphorus 0.1–0.3 %, exchangeable potassium (K₂O) of 0.01–0.03 % and exchangeable magnesium (MgO): 0.01–0.05 %. In Europe, truffles are cultivated by establishing well-mycorrhized plants on calcareous, well-aerated and free draining soils, with suitable climates and with appropriate management. Climate is a principal factor limiting truffle cultivation in Europe; however, to some degree, cultural practices can compensate for unfavourable climatic and soil factors. For instance, deep tilling of soils provides better aeration and results in larger truffles, while irrigation is important in summer to maintain truffle mycorrhizas established during spring. Although practices may differ depending on the truffle species, basic principles are the same. In-field inoculations with truffle spores may also enhance the establishment, while thinning and pruning appear to promote Tuber melanosporum colonisation in the truffle plantation. The adoption of these modern techniques permits truffle cultivation in soils otherwise unfavourable and in this way may increase considerably the productive area of truffle cultivation in Europe.